No. 10 Clemson (3-0, 0-0 ACC) at No. 4 Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC)
Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: Florida State by 14.5.
Watchability: This is the ACC’s game of the year, and the winner could find itself in the national championship conversation deep into the season, something that hasn’t happened in the ACC for a long time. There will be playmakers all over the field on both sides of the ball. It’s the biggest game of the weekend and could end up being one of the most entertaining.
Shining Stars: Clemson: WR Sammy Watkins caught four passes for 52 yards and had one rush that went for a 58-yard touchdown in his season debut against Furman. Watkins was shaking off the rust last week, but the Tigers need him at his best Saturday. QB Tajh Boyd is completing 73.3 percent of his passes in 2012. He did a fantastic job making plays with his feet in the opener against Auburn. He’ll have to do the same against the Seminoles. Florida State: QB EJ Manuel (525 yards, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception) has gotten off to a good start in his senior year. Ultimately, he will be judged this season by his play in games like this. DE Bjoern Werner leads the nation with 6.5 sacks through the first three games. That has come against inferior competition, but Werner has yet to play a full game.
Who could steal the show: Clemson: WR DeAndre Hopkins is third in the country in receptions (26) and fifth in touchdown receptions (4) this season. He is an explosive playmaker who has been a reliable target for Boyd. Florida State: WR Rashad Greene has returned two punts for touchdowns in the first three games. He is one of a few candidates who could make a game-changing play on special teams.
You going? Ranking the road trip: It’s a primetime matchup under the lights in Doak Campbell Stadium, and the atmosphere should be electric for the first ACC game featuring top-10 teams since 2007.
Magic number for Clemson: 179.7. Clemson is allowing its opponents to rush for 179.7 yards per game so far this season. Meanwhile, Florida State RBs Chris Thompson, Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. have combined to average 8.5 yards per carry. Clemson needs to make Florida State one-dimensional and force Manuel to beat the Tigers through the air.
Magic number for Florida State: 11. Florida State has not allowed an opponent to score more than 19 points in 11 straight games. The Seminoles have won 10 of 11 during that stretch. The last time Florida State’s defense allowed more than 19 points was Oct. 8, 2011, in a 35-30 loss at Wake Forest. The Seminoles also gave up 35 points to Clemson on Sept. 24, 2011, in a 35-30 loss.
The game comes down to: Whether Clemson’s offensive line can hold up against Florida State’s defensive line. The Tigers don't have much experience up front, and they will have to open enough holes in the running game for RB Andre Ellington to keep the Seminoles honest while also trying to keep Boyd upright.
Eye on College Football's take: Florida State's defense is phenomenal, but it won't be able to hold Clemson out of the end zone like the rest of the Seminoles' opponents in 2012. There are too many players on the Tigers' offense who can turn four yards into 40 in a split-second, and I'm guessing they will be able to turn that into at least a couple of scores. Therefore, my key matchup is Florida State's offense against Clemson's defense. Manuel said the Seminoles have run less than 5 percent of their playbook, so Saturday night will presumably be the first live run for a handful of sets/plays. With no tape to study, will Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables have his young defense ready for what is expected to be a very multiple attack? Clemson will need lots of opportunities to get enough home run plays to win. If the defense cannot come up with enough stops to give Boyd that chance, it could be a long night for the defending ACC Champs in Tallahassee. -- Chip Patterson
Prediction: Florida State 20, Clemson 17
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.
